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Rib Injury A Greater Concern

Ben Roethlisberger's shoulder injury is a big concern and it will keep him from starting on Sunday when the Steelers play the Ravens. But it's not nearly as big a concern as the rare rib injury he also suffered Monday, which could apparently kill him.
Yes, kill him. Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported on Wednesday that Ben's injury is what will keep him out because it presents a danger of "pressing into his aorta" and ending his life.
This is not a normal rib injury, and it explains a couple things: one, why we heard words like "unusual" and "rare" when people described Roethlisberger's injury, and two, why he got the hell out of the stadium to see a doctor on Monday night. Smart move.
The injury is so rare, in fact, that doctors apparently told Roethlisberger they hadn't seen it since a rugby player dealt with the injury in 1989.
Roethlisberger also said, per Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL Network, that his pain level is a nine out of 10 and that he got four hours of sleep in a chair each of the last two nights.
Bouchette doesn't believe Roethlisberger will play for "awhile," and that sounds about right. The Steelers quarterback is one of the toughest guys in the NFL -- pain only seems to make him stronger -- but risking his life in order to try and help the Steelers push for a playoff spot they might end up netting anyway is just silly.

Ben also said he does not believe this is a season ending injury. I'm guessing the Steelers will need to make the playoffs without him, then all bets are off. I'm hoping he would be ready for the postseason.

Technically, any of the upper rib fractures can cause death by different mechanisms. You can get a pneumothorax (collapsed lung) go into a heart arrythmia called PEA and die. Posterior rib fractures of multiple ribs can also transect the aorta. Damage to the aorta by a rib fracture is rare.

If it means Ben misses the entire regular and post-season to get 100% I'm buying in. He is the most important piece on this team and we need him for the next 5-6 years. If we have to take one step back to take two forward I'm OK for that as long as we get a healthy Ben for many years to come.

Playing Fantasy Football does not qualify you to be the in the front office or on the coaching staff of the Pittsburgh Steelers. They are professionals and you are not!